Golden Pheasant

DESCRIPTION Golden Pheasant is 40 to 44 inches (102 to 112cm), with tail 32 inches (81cm). Upper back dark green, feathers edged black; lower back and rump 'silky'; crown and crest golden yellow; short, rounded wings with dark brown primaries, chestnut and black secondaries, deep blue terti-aries; long central curved tail feathers black, spotted cinnamon; tips of tail coverts scarlet; ruff light orange barred black, underparts scarlet; legs (with short spurs), bill horn yellow, eyes and facial skin light yellow. Female 25 to 27 inches (63.5 to 68.5cm), with tail 14 to 15 inches (35.5 to 38cm) mixed brown with black streaks, spots and bars. Legs, bill horn yellow, eyes brown, face red.

NATURAL DISTRIBUTION Central China; introduced to Britain.

HABITAT Rocky hills covered with bamboo and other scrub.

DIET Seeds, leaves, tender shoots (bamboos); insects.

SPECIAL NEEDS Shelter as well as outside habitat.

CAGE LIFE Solitary or in pairs. The Golden Pheasant is Reluctant to fly. During courtship male raises crest and spreads ruff, trails a wing towards female, opens tail vertically, jumps from side to side of female, whistling and clicking. Breeds probably in May and June in wild, nesting on ground. Lays 8 pale buff to cream eggs, incubation 22 days by female, male may help with brood.